Messmer's UV+ Colorado Brown 5G

Messmer’s UV+ Colorado Brown 5G is an oil-based penetrating deck stain with approximately 55-60% solid content by weight — nearly double what you’ll find in typical retail deck stains. Colorado Brown 5G is often sold as the 250 VOC formulation (CMS-611-5), making it compliant in most jurisdictions while still delivering the penetration and durability contractors need.

Skip this product if you’re looking for a film-forming deck coating that sits on the surface. This is a true penetrating finish that protects without forming a surface film. It won’t give you that plastic-coated look some homeowners want. But it also won’t peel or flake when properly applied.

Coverage and Application Reality

The coverage numbers matter when you’re bidding jobs. Figure 100-150 square feet per gallon on rough-sawn wood, 150-250 on smooth surfaces. That’s honest coverage — not the optimistic numbers some manufacturers print. Rough cedar siding will eat up more product than smooth pine decking.

Specification	Value
Coverage (Rough Wood)	100-150 sq ft/gallon
Coverage (Smooth Wood)	150-250 sq ft/gallon
Solid Content (Volume)	55-60% (CMS series)
Solid Content (Weight)	60% (CMS series)
Full Cure Time	24-48 hours
Walk-On Time	24 hours under good conditions

Apply when surface temperatures sit between 45°F and 90°F. Avoid application if rain is expected within 24-48 hours. Montana’s weather windows are tight enough without pushing these limits.

You can brush, roll, or spray — but back-brush if you spray. Here’s the critical step contractors sometimes skip: wipe off all excess unabsorbed product after 30-60 minutes to prevent shiny spots. Based on user feedback from industry sources, contractors appreciate its ability to enhance the natural beauty of wood, but requires careful removal of excess to avoid sticky/shiny spots.

VOC Formulations and Cleanup

Messmer’s offers this product in 550, 250, and 100 g/L VOC formulations. Colorado Brown 5G typically comes as the 250 VOC version, which works for most Montana jurisdictions. The lower VOC formulations sacrifice some penetration and durability — physics, not marketing.

Cleanup requires solvents — paint thinner, mineral spirits, lacquer thinner, or MEK. This isn’t a water-cleanup product. Factor solvent costs and disposal into your bid.

Maintenance Cycles That Actually Hold Up

Vertical surfaces need recoating every 3-4 years; horizontal decks every 1-3 years depending on exposure. Those numbers are realistic for Montana conditions — not the “up to 5 years” fantasy some brands push.

The beauty of a true penetrating oil stain shows at recoat time. Just clean and brighten for re-application — no sanding or stripping needed if previously maintained. That’s a huge labor savings compared to film-forming products that require complete removal.

Messmer’s makes their own Wood & Deck Cleaner (Part A) and Brightener (Part B) for prep work. The brightener neutralizes the cleaner and removes tannins — important on cedar and redwood.

Wood Type Requirements

The standard UV+ formula works on cedar, redwood, pine, and pressure-treated lumber. For Ipe and other hardwoods, you need the UV Plus for Hardwoods variant — different formulation for denser wood.

New wood needs aging before staining. New redwood should age 6-8 weeks; new pressure-treated wood should age until dry. Allow cleaned wood to dry 24-48 hours before staining.

Coverage on hardwoods runs approximately 300+ sq ft per gallon with the UV Plus for Hardwoods variant — the denser wood doesn’t absorb as much product. Recoating hardwood decks is recommended every 6-12 months, more frequent than softwoods.

The high-solids formulation fills wood pores for long-lasting water repellency while maintaining natural wood grain with semi-transparent pigmentation. Contains fungicides and UV absorbers to prevent mildew and fading — both real problems in Montana’s climate extremes.

The warranty is limited to product replacement only — no labor coverage or consequential damages. Standard for the industry, but worth explaining to customers upfront.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much area does Messmer’s UV+ Colorado Brown 5G actually cover?

Messmer’s UV+ Colorado Brown 5G covers 100-150 square feet per gallon on rough wood and 150-250 square feet per gallon on smooth wood surfaces. These coverage rates are realistic for actual field conditions, not optimistic lab numbers.

Q: What’s the difference between Messmer’s regular UV+ and UV+ for Hardwoods?

Messmer’s regular UV+ formula (including Colorado Brown 5G) is designed for cedar, redwood, pine, and pressure-treated lumber. The UV+ for Hardwoods variant is specifically formulated to penetrate dense exotic woods like Ipe, Mahogany, and Teak, with coverage around 300+ square feet per gallon due to lower absorption rates.

Q: How long do I need to wait before I can walk on a deck stained with Messmer’s UV+?

Messmer’s UV+ Colorado Brown 5G is walk-on ready after 24 hours under good conditions, with full cure taking 24-48 hours. You’ll need to avoid rain for at least 24-48 hours after application, and surface temperatures should be between 45°F and 90°F during application.

Q: Do I need to strip or sand Messmer’s UV+ when it’s time to recoat?

No stripping or sanding is needed when recoating Messmer’s UV+ if the deck has been previously maintained. Just clean with Messmer’s Wood & Deck Cleaner (Part A) and brighten with their Wood & Deck Brightener (Part B), then reapply — vertical surfaces typically need recoating every 3-4 years, horizontal decks every 1-3 years.

Q: What VOC formulation is Messmer’s UV+ Colorado Brown 5G?

Messmer’s UV+ Colorado Brown 5G is typically sold as the 250 VOC formulation (CMS-611-5), though Messmer’s offers their products in 550, 250, and 100 g/L VOC versions. Cleanup requires solvents like paint thinner, mineral spirits, lacquer thinner, or MEK — not water.

Q: How long should I wait before staining new pressure-treated lumber with Messmer’s UV+?

New pressure-treated wood should age until dry before applying Messmer’s UV+, while new redwood needs 6-8 weeks of aging. After cleaning any wood surface, allow it to dry for 24-48 hours before staining.